The Marr and Albus theories of the cerebellum-two early models of associative memory

The Marr and Albus theories of the cerebellum are compared and contrasted. They are shown to be similar in their analysis of the function of the mossy fibers, granule cells, Golgi cells, and Purkinje cells. They both predict motor learning in the parallel fiber synapses on the Purkinje dendrites mediated by concurrent climbing fiber input. This prediction has been confirmed by experimental evidence. In contrast, the Marr theory predicts these synapses would be facilitated by learning, while the Albus theory predicts they would be weakened. Experimental evidence confirms synaptic weakening.<>